How to Know When It’s Time for Water Heater Replacement

September 30, 2016

Hot Water Heater Replacement Warning Signs

Water heater replacement seems to sneak up on all of us at times without warning. The water heater itself lives in a quiet, dark place, completely minding its own business, until suddenly you’re hit with a jet of water so cold that you almost hit the ceiling. Luckily, this is not the fault of the hot water heater. It’s actually our own fault, and can easily be fixed with just a little bit of what we call, ‘smart homeowner’ vigilance.

Generally speaking, with proper maintenance, you can get the full life out of your water heater. Still, like everything else in your home, it does have an expiration date. Keep an eye out for some of these water heater replacement signs, and avoid those awful cold-water moments in the shower.

Check How Long the Hot Water Lasts

How long does your supply of hot water last? This is a fairly good indication of whether you need professional service or not. When you’ve lived in the home for a while, you might notice that your showers are getting shorter and shorter. Perhaps your hot water isn’t lasting as long as it used to. If this symptom appears, you’re getting dangerously close to the heater not warming up any water at all. If your power supply is on, or your pilot light is working fine, then it may be time for a complete water heater replacement.

Test the Water Temperature

If you turn on your hot water tap, you should get warm water relatively quickly and it shouldn’t take very long to turn hot. Receiving ice cold water from a hot tap, or extended wait times, indicate that your heater may be nearing the end of its lifespan.

Listen for Strange Noises

It’s normal for your tank to make some noise, especially when it’s busy heating up or refilling with water. Popping and clanging sounds, however, are not in the realm of “normal”. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that it needs replacing, it’s usually a good indication of expiration.

Age Matters – Check Yours

No matter how well you maintain an appliance, it generally has a set lifespan. A water tank is usually under warranty for five to 10 years. We usually recommend a replacement near the end of your warranty especially if you start to notice inefficiency or problems with the tank.

Take Note of the Overall Condition

How your tank looks on the outside can clue you in to how it looks on the inside. Regions of the country with a high mineral content in the water often have water heaters with shorter lifespans because of corrosion. You’ll notice mineral buildup, rust, or corrosion, most commonly around the temperature and pressure relief valve, as well as the inlet and outlet connections. If there’s rust on the outside of the tank, then it’s pretty much guaranteed to mean there’s rust on the inside, too. Mineral buildup doesn’t necessarily mean the tank needs to be replaced, but it shortens its life. Unfortunately, rust and corrosion cannot be corrected. Once they start, then it’s just a waiting game for your hot water heater replacement.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

You never know how much you use your hot water until you have none. Don’t be caught in the cold with a bad or inefficient water heater. Keep an eye out for these signs to replace your heater before it peters out on its own.

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I've used Capital Care Plumbing since I purchased my home in Katy in October of 2008. They do a good job for a reasonable price. On one occasion that I was unpleased, I called the office and expressed concern, they agreed with me and solved the issue by refunding my money. They do a good job and if the client has a concern they work with you. What else can you ask for in a local service oriented business.Dennis Spellman